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Kris Boyd is pleasantly surprised at his recall to the Scotland squad

Kilmarnock striker Kris Boyd has been pleasantly surprised at his recall to the Scotland squad.

Last Updated: 22/11/13 10:22am

Kris Boyd: Kilmarnock striker is back in the Scotland squad for the first time since 2010

The 30-year-old last featured under manager Craig Levein, when he was substituted in Scotland's 2-1 victory over Liechtenstein at Hampden in September 2010.

Boyd does not expect to start against Norway on Tuesday, but following short spells in Turkey with Eskisehirspor and in North American with Portland, he is happy to be involved with the national squad again.

"I don't think I'm going to start the game but if you get 10 minutes or it's in the stand it's still a giant step in the right direction from where I've been in the last couple of years," said Boyd.

"I was only in one squad under Craig Levein. It was one game. And from there in my career I've not really played a lot of football, not as much as I'd have expected to.

"So, it's been a long two or three years but I've managed to get myself back playing regular football, scoring goals and back in the international set-up.

"I've always said as a footballer you want to represent your country. If you've not got the drive and determination within yourself you've got a problem right from the off.

"You want to play at the highest level you can possibly do. International is the highest level for me right now. To get myself back, to give myself an opportunity to play at that level is a massive, massive boost for me.

"I've never been one that thought it was all over. But the months and the years go past and the doubt might creep in. The Liechtenstein game could have been my last."

Scotland boss Gordon Strachan, who signed Boyd when he was at Middlesbrough, has been impressed with the player's recent form.

Strachan said: "Kris has had a good month and having worked with him for a short time at Middlesbrough, he is showing the same enthusiasm for training and football.

"Sometimes you get player who comes in and adds to the squad and Kris has done that. He is good with people round about him and that is definitely a positive.

"We have been together for eight days now and Kris has come along and given us a wee boost and his performance this morning at training was good as well.

"The players' performance as a whole for the past two days has been absolutely fantastic and I had to congratulate them yesterday on how well they have done in training. They were excellent."

Meanwhile, Leeds striker Ross McCormack has withdrawn from the Scotland squad after sustaining a hamstring injury.